One of the highlights for Cordene Henry's Christmas was that the lives of more than 70 children and caregivers at the Mustard Seed Communities' Dare to Care Children's Home in Spanish Town, St Catherine were positively impacted during the festive season when an annual treat was held recently at the home.

Henry, who is the ministry leader for the outreach arm at the Transformed Life Church, which hosted the treat, said the event presented an opportunity for her and her team to recognise the needs that exist, in addition to the need to play their part in doing what they can for the less fortunate.

"Each time I have to prepare myself emotionally because, when you look at their faces, it really tugs at your heart. When you think of a one-year-old, for example - no mom, no dad and the fact that they are HIV positive - it's really emotional. Then there's the other extreme, where there are some 22-year-olds, but they have nowhere to go. And so it's a reminder of how blessed I am, despite the ups and downs and the struggles. At the end of the day, you recognise that there's always worse," she said.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Henry added that it was heartwarming to see how receptive the children were, having been treated to games, food, gifts and the Word of God.

"Each year we go, the children recognise us and they remember us. We are welcomed by both the children and the caregivers. This year was a little bit different, as we asked for a wish list from the children. So there were 70 children in total and we got the wish list of about 35 children, and we were able to fulfil 63 per cent of those things that they requested. I think that when they opened their gifts they were very pleased, especially because they got what they wanted," she explained.

"What was good also this year is the involvement of the teens from the church and our men, when we compare it with other years. Overall, we believe it was a success and a reminder that Christmas is not about us but the Lord."